Rescuers work to evacuate over 1,300 passengers from cruise ship

Muscat: Over 1,300 passengers aboard a cruise ship are being evacuated after the vessel lost power in Norway over the weekend, the Norwegian Red Cross confirmed.

Emergency services and over 100 volunteers of the Norwegian Red Cross have been working to rescue passengers off the Viking Sky, a luxury cruise liner.
**media[1013984]**
According to the cruise ship's parent company, Viking Ocean Cruises, "On 23 March at 2:00PM Norwegian time the Viking Sky experienced a loss of engine power off the coast of Norway near Molde."

"In cooperation with the Norwegian Coast Guard, the captain of the ship decided to evacuate all guests from the vessel by helicopter. The ship is proceeding on its own power and a tugboat is on site. The evacuation is proceeding with all necessary caution."

The Norwegian Red Cross stated that rescue efforts are ongoing. "The evacuees that have arrived, receive dry clothes, blankets and first aid. We see bruising, broken bones, and cuts. Many need a hand to hold, a shoulder to lean on, someone to talk to," the organisation said.